Dance

From the earthy grunge of hip hop to the endless grace of classical ballet, dancers tell stories with their bodies. They flow through space, creating emotive shapes and patterns, connecting passionately with their audience. But the dedication involved in consistent training, perfecting choreography and striving to achieve their best can sometimes lead to injury.

Girls Girls Girls is immediately engaging, confronting and entertaining. Unsure what to expect on entering the theatre, the audience is instantly drawn to experience the dark side of what it means to be female in modern-day Australia.

Participation in Girls Girls Girls is paramount; from the get-go, the audience is thrust into this darkly satirical examination of female expectations and insecurities. Guided by the vivacious Mistress of Ceremonies instructing everyone to ‘dress’ the mannequin-like dancers posed throughout the theatre, Curtis creates a powerful and evocative setting for the rest of the performance.

Sensuality, control, anger, love, self-hatred, desire and femininity are all explored throughout this work.

The music is diverse and contradictory, including easily recognisable works from Vivaldi, Edith Piaf and Benny Benassi. Curtis’ choreography was equally eclectic. The dancers mock convention as they challenge the stereotypes of perfection and social media falsity through complex choreography interspersed with spoken word and dramatic elements. Their ability to effortlessly swap between classical and contemporary styles of dance, from knee-high socks to sky-high heels, is indicative of their professionalism and commitment to the roles they play.

Girls Girls Girls – Photo supplied by Bonnie Curtis Projects.

Curtis takes the audience on a journey of self-exploration while examining women’s relationships, both with each other and themselves, within the constraints of modern society. Moments of manic, frantic disturbing emotion are juxtaposed with hilarious theatrics in this unconventional and moving performance.

The Victorian premiere of this award-winning show by Sydney-based Bonnie Curtis Projects faced a tough draw card on a long-weekend, school holiday, AFL Grand Final afternoon in Melbourne. However, the matinee performance was a fascinatingly intimate setting. Challenging, and sometimes uncomfortable, there was nowhere to escape from the reality of the themes explored.

Girls Girls Girls is a clever consciousness-raising performance which entertains and challenges the audience from start to finish. A powerful examination of the experiences of women in modern society, this interactive experience is well-worth sharing.

Following sold-out seasons in NSW and Queensland, the Melbourne Fringe season of Girls Girls Girls concludes with performances on Sunday 30th September at 3.00pm and 7.30pm at The Space Dance & Arts Centre, 318 Chapel St, Prahran, 3181. *$10 discount tickets are available.

Astara Jackson, 12, has proven that persistence is vital to becoming successful in the dance industry after the recent announcement of her ambassadorship with Dance Writer. This year alone she has received several ambassadorships for multiple dance companies, elected performance captain in her first year of high school and is a pivotal member of her dance studio competition troupe.

Social media is arguably altering the perception of what is achievable in dance. Young dancers are copying movements from Instagram and performing them without regard to harm or hazard. According to a Melbourne based dance instructor and qualified doctor Lisa Ellis, dancers can still be as flexible as they possibly can be by following a safe dance procedure.

“We are always a family, whether it is by blood or by heart,” Miss Tania Robins said.

If you are a studio owner or an aspiring one, you will understand the importance of creating a safe space for your students. However, the vision is sometimes far from reality for some dance entrepreneurs. Melbourne studio owner, renowned dance adjudicator and VCE VET Lecturer Tania Robins reveals her knowledge about creating a sanctuary for students to enjoy.